Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Vascular Biology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Vascular Biology 1. Artery vs. Vein Arteries and veins are both crucial components of the circulatory system, but they have distinct roles. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins transport deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Remember, arteries 'away,' veins 'to.' 2. Atherosclerosis vs. Arteriosclerosis Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different conditions. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, while arteriosclerosis is the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls. Think of 'athero' for plaque and 'arterio' for the arteries themselves. 3. Ischemia vs. Infarction Ischemia and infarction are both related to inadequate blood supply, but they have different implications. Ischemia is a reduced blood flow, while infarction is the complete blockage of blood flow, leading to tissue death. Ischemia is like a warning sign, while infarction is a severe consequence. 4. Embolism vs. Thrombosis Embolism and thrombosis involve the formation of blood clots, but they occur in different ways. Thrombosis is the formation of a clot at the site, while embolism is when a clot travels and blocks a blood vessel elsewhere. Thrombosis is like a 'local' clot, while embolism is a 'traveling' clot. 5. Vasodilation vs. Vasoconstriction